INSIGHT UPSC QUIZ

Science & Technology General Science
Q.

 Compass is an important tool used for navigation since old days. In this context, consider the following statements:

1. The compass needle is a magnet which align itself in a particular direction.

2. The compass needle always points towards the magnetic south pole of the earth.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

Explanation:

ANSWER: (C) 

Statement 1 is correct.

  • A compass needle is a small magnet which aligns itself in a particular direction. It’s one end, which points towards north, is called a north pole, and the other end, which points towards south, is called a south pole. 

Statement 2 is correct.

Earth behaves as though it has a giant bar magnet built inside it, with its south pole up near Earth's actual (geographic) north pole and vice-versa. A compass needle points towards north pole because the north pole of the magnet inside it is attracted to the south pole of Earth's built-in magnet.

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